SWINDON Town manager John Sheridan admitted he was “relieved” to see his team beat former employers Wigan Athletic 1-0 at the County Ground on Tuesday night.

In a game that was critical to both side’s aspirations of staying in League One this season, Town struck early through Brett Pitman before seeing Dion Conroy sent off midway through the second half.

Wigan were unable to truly lay a glove on Town all night, despite having a man more for half an hour at the County Ground.

Following a result that lifted Swindon out of the bottom four, the Town boss felt his side were worthy winners against the Latics but said the club must not get ahead of themselves with another crunch game against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

Sheridan said: “I think we deserved to win the game. That was a game where we knew we were probably going to have to grind it out to win.

“It was similar to the only other victory we’ve had at home while I’ve been here against Bristol Rovers. It was quite a tight game, but I thought we had the better chances.

“We get the goal, and it gives you something to fight for and to hold on to – I thought we did that well.

“We controlled most of the game, but obviously it gets edgy when you get the man sent off. I’m not sure whether it was a penalty – we might have got away with one – but the main thing is we’ve won.

“I wouldn’t say it was an ugly performance, but it’s a win, it’s three points, and you just feel relieved that we’ve finally got a result at home, and a clean sheet too.”

With defeats for Northampton Town, Shrewsbury, and Bristol Rovers on Tuesday, it turned out to be a very good night indeed for Sheridan’s men as they rose up to 19th in League One.

The Town boss refused to get too carried away though and admitted the result will not mean as much if his side do not follow it up on Saturday.

Sheridan said: “We know where we are in the league, we know the importance of these games.

“There was some good desire and performances from the players that helped to get us over the line.

“I thought Jack Payne was magnificent – his work ethic was good. Pitman did well, as did other lads who haven’t been in the team like Akin Odimayo.

“We need a few more like that, we’re not going to get carried away, but it’s nice to win one.”